New requirements for CPD

These changes herald the introduction of a personal development plan for each member of the dental team.

This is a tool that can identify areas for further development and encourage lifelong learning, whilst also recording the details of CPD activity with corresponding learning outcomes. This is the first time a personal development plan has been required by the GDC. There are also changes to the number of hours that dental professionals must complete during a cycle. The changes will happen in January 2018, for dentists and in August 2018, for dental care professionals.

These changes are the first step in longer-term reform of CPD to move to a system based on quality of CPD activity rather than quantity.

Commenting on the changes, Ian Brack, chief executive of the General Dental Council, said, “The public has a right to expect that dental professionals will keep their knowledge and skills up to date.

“The GDC listened to a range of views in developing ECPD, particularly those who took part in last summer’s pilot scheme, and worked with the profession, partners and other groups to really get under the skin so that the new scheme contributes to patient care and protection but is also a useful tool for registrants. The introduction of a personal development plan helps to meet our aspirations of supporting life-long learning and development.